I am pleased to announce that sufficient expressions of support have been received from the UANA Executive Committee to approve a $5000 USD grant to the Colombian Swimming Federation to offset expenses associated with the Latin Cup swimming competition in Cali (COL) in late April 2016.

I ask that Errol Clarke, UANA Secretary-Treasurer, ensures that UANA receives a report from the Latin Cup Federation and/or the Colombian Swimming Federation that details how these funds were expended for the benefit of the athletes.

Additionally, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that FINA will provide funds for regional competitions, beginning in 2016. Based upon a recommendation from the FINA Development Commission and approved by the FINA Executive and the FINA Bureau, financial support will be granted as follows:

— $10,000 annually to support the CONSANAT Championships

— $10,000 to support the CCCAN Championships in the years that this event is conducted

— $5,000 to support the CISC Championships and $5,000 to support the CISC Championships in the years that the CCCAN Championships is not conducted

These funds will come to UANA for disbursement to the regional continental organizations as outlined above. Again, I ask that Errol Clarke ensures that UANA (and ultimately, FINA) receives a report from CONSANAT, CCCAN, CISC, and CAMEX (as appropriate) that details how these funds were expended for the benefit of the athletes. Clearly, the continuation of this financial subsidy will be based upon the athlete experience that occurs as a result of the FINA grant.

On behalf of UANA, I extend my congratulations to Fernando Carpena, President of the Latin Cup Federation, and Dr. Edgar Ivan Ortiz, President of the Colombia Swimming Federation, for their vision, leadership, and courage in revitalizing the Latin Cup competition. We hope that the meet will be very successful and that it grows in stature and importance, potentially including other disciplines in the future. Our support is firmly based upon the reality that the Latin Cup will provide additional competitive opportunities for athletes in the Americas, as well as cultural exchange that is an essential ingredient of this competition.